1. To get in at least 10 hours Aiki a week. Normal class schedules give me a regular 8 hours so intend to get out and about more this year and get to share as much Aikido as possible.
2. Get physically fitter. Easier said than done when you teach all the time, hence point number one being, well, point number one. Those of you that know me well might also like to make sure I do blood tests BEFORE training to avoid quite so many “Jelly Baby” moments this year..
3. Get mentally fitter. 2009 was a bit of a roller coater, with some fantastic highs including of course the completion of the new dojo in silverdale, but also had it’s downers, with the loss of some good friends and some financial setbacks that affected me far more than they should have. This year I will focus on all the great things we have and count the blessings.
4. Avoid all politics. In any form. 2009 and seemed to be a year when our normally small but sociable NZ Aikido community was plagued with political machinations that would make Machiavelli cringe. Not interested.
5. In line with point 4, I pledge to extend our dojos “open door” policy and actively invite instructors from other organizations to come share their aikido with us, thereby performing tenkan upon the issues mentioned in point 4 ;0) Our Summer Camp on Jan 22nd-25th will hopefully feature several of Auckland’s most senior Aikidoka, and will be a great opportunity for us to show what Aiki path we are all currently treading.
6. Spread Aikido. It’s really easy to just focus on your own clubs and students, and not look to the horizon. Aikido is a truly wonderful thing to have as part of your life, and the more people who it touches, the better. NZ has a dreadful record for bullying in schools and physical abuse towards kids within families – If Aikido was more widely available, maybe even via schools, I believe it could have a profound effect. If anyone out there in the NZ Aikido commnity is like-minded, please get in touch as this will be a considerable project and we’ll need all ther resources we can muster I suspect.
7. Bring back the 1000 cuts winter misogi.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.